“Instead of using LinkedIn as a passive billboard, you can use the platform to build connections with other professionals in your niche.”
A LinkedIn profile is an important professional material. All students should have a LinkedIn profile to be competitive in the job market. This profile can be used as a more complete record of skills and achievements than the resume; to network with other students; and for students to be visible to recruiters.
The Basics
As with all professional documents, ensure that your LinkedIn profile has:
- Accurate spelling and punctuation
- Consistent tone throughout
- Working links
Compelling Introductory Information
- Professional profile photo
- Customized background image
- Catchy headline that incorporates your target role.
In this screenshot of Jordan Doe’s LinkedIn profile, we can see that her profile picture is zoomed in on her face, that her background shows books from a law library, and that her headline includes her industry and area of expertise.
Contact Information
Ensure that all of your contact information is accurate and up-to-date. In addition, ensure that you list your professional email.
Summary Statement
A compelling summary statement is written in clear language, speaks to your experience and background, and demonstrates your professional qualifications.
Jane Doe’s Sample Summary Statement
Compliance professional currently working towards a Master of Studies in Law focusing on Compliance. I bring four years of experience working on behalf of banking institutions to provide support in safeguarding clients against fraud. Analytical and solution-focused professional able to work in a fast-paced environment to deliver results. Recognized as a Top Performer two years in a row for the ability to quickly and efficiently identify alerting transactions, saving clients and the organization significant time.
Education
Education section should be in reverse chronological order with the most relevant degree first.
Experience
This section should be listed in reverse chronological order.
Each entry should include the following:
- Job title
- Company name and location
- Dates of employment
Your experience section should include your accomplishments, not just your job duties. Use results-driven bullets to highlight previous project management experience.
Jordan Doe’s Sample Experience Section
TD Bank
Compliance Analyst II
September 2020-Present
Burlington, MA
- Manage 25-30 accounts in support of portfolio managers
- Prepare weekly intelligence reports highlighting alerting transactions
- Maintained and organized records for internal and external audit purposes
Credit Union of Colorado
Compliance Analyst
Sept 2019-May 2020
Denver, CO
- Reviewed extensive client data provided by clients and ran compliance review for each file, escalating to quality control or underwriting as appropriate
- Performed verifications and calculations in support of portfolio managers
Skills
Your skills section should include at least 20 skills and interests. The skills should be a mixture of technical and transferable, and the interests should be a mixture of personal and professional.
Jordan Doe’s Sample Skills
Industry Knowledge
- Project Management
- Data Review
- Research
- Mortgage Compliance
- Due Diligence
- Performance Appraisals
- Legal Research
- Mergers and Acquisitions
Tools and Technologies
- Encompass
- Microsoft Word
- Excel
- METRIC
Interpersonal Skills
- Analytical
- Written and Verbal Communication
- Problem Solver
- Critical Thinking
Other Skills
- Regulation and Law Compliance
- Litigation
Relevant Training and Recommendations
Include any relevant trainings listed in reverse chronological order. Also include at least 2-4 recommendations that attest to your skills and work ethic.
Jordan Doe’s Sample Relevant Training and Recommendations Section
Jordan has listed her Notary Public and Family Mediator certifications in her Licenses and Certifications section, and included recommendations from one former teacher and one former cohort member.
Former Teacher
If you were to ask any of the other members of her cohort who has helped them the most, they would all unanimously say Jordan. She is always first in line to put her knowledge to the test and solve problems. Jordan is also a natural leader, yet humble enough to join the ranks, pulling her fair share of heavy duties.
Former Cohort Member
Jordan is highly organized, a strong communicator, and a truly wonderful counselor. I got to work with her in a supervisory group, and I loved hearing her solution-focused perspectives on ways to manage crises.
